March 16, 2023
Government pulls the plug on 3 waters co-governance?
The Government looks set to renege on its 3 Waters co-governance arrangement with Māori.
Minister for Local Government Kieran McAnulty isn’t committing to a 50/50 co-governance arrangement with Māori, instead opting to go on a structural reforms roadshow canvassing local government agencies including representatives from local democracy.
“I’ll give them an opportunity to help frame this up. But after that I hope to engage with mana whenua.”
“So what structure (3 waters) this will take we can’t really discuss the proportion (of representation).” said Minister McAnulty.
Currently mana whenua has a co-governance arrangement at regional level with local councils. They have responsibility for appointing members to the water service entity boards, monitor its performance and they represent the views of local communities.
Mana whenua around the motu are holding the line on co-governance, but Minister McAnulty cautions against this.
“See what it is we come up with before we start talking like that because there might not be anything to hold the line against.”
The Minister is due to meet with representative from the local government sector next week.